700-mile run passes through Stamford

Eve Sullivan

Updated 11:52 am, Thursday, January 17, 2013

Gary Allen runs through Stamford on his way to Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, January 16, 2012. Allen is running in support of Wounded Warrior Project, American Cancer Society and Sandy Hook Elementary School charities. Followers can track his progress and donate to his causes at his website, www.maine2dcrun.com
Photo: Lindsay Perry

Gary Allen runs through Stamford on his way to Washington, D.C., on...

Gary Allen runs through Stamford on his way to Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, January 16, 2012. Allen is running in support of Wounded Warrior Project, American Cancer Society and Sandy Hook Elementary School charities. Followers can track his progress and donate to his causes at his website, www.maine2dcrun.com
Photo: Lindsay Perry

Gary Allen runs through Stamford on his way to Washington, D.C., on...

Gary Allen runs through Stamford on his way to Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, January 16, 2012. Allen is running in support of Wounded Warrior Project, American Cancer Society and Sandy Hook Elementary School charities. Followers can track his progress and donate to his causes at his website, www.maine2dcrun.com
Photo: Lindsay Perry

Gary Allen runs through Stamford on his way to Washington, D.C., on...

Gary Allen takes a short break for food and tea at the Boat Yard restaurant before running through Stamford on his way to Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, January 16, 2012. Allen is running in support of Wounded Warrior Project, American Cancer Society and Sandy Hook Elementary School charities. Followers can track his progress and donate to his causes at his website, www.maine2dcrun.com
Photo: Lindsay Perry

Gary Allen takes a short break for food and tea at the Boat Yard...

Gary Allen runs through Stamford on his way to Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, January 16, 2012. Allen is running in support of Wounded Warrior Project, American Cancer Society and Sandy Hook Elementary School charities. Followers can track his progress and donate to his causes at his website, www.maine2dcrun.com
Photo: Lindsay Perry

Gary Allen runs through Stamford on his way to Washington, D.C., on...

Gary Allen runs through Stamford on his way to Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, January 16, 2012. Allen is running in support of Wounded Warrior Project, American Cancer Society and Sandy Hook Elementary School charities. Followers can track his progress and donate to his causes at his website, www.maine2dcrun.com
Photo: Lindsay Perry

Gary Allen runs through Stamford on his way to Washington, D.C., on...

STAMFORD -- Excitement was building at The Boat Yard restaurant Wednesday afternoon, as people waited for long-distance runner Gary Allen to cross the border from Darien into Stamford.

About 12:50 p.m., a Stamford police officer stationed nearby turned on his cruiser's flashing lights, as waitress Konnie Marsan said it meant Allen was coming.

"There he is, running near the police car in the red," she shouted.

Allen is running more than 700 miles, from Maine to Washington, D.C., in the name of three charities -- the Wounded Warrior Project, the American Cancer Society and Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown.

At the border, Allen said goodbye to Darien police, greeted Stamford police and decided to step into The Boat Yard for a quick break. He'd been running since 7:20 a.m. and did not know how many miles he logged for the day.

"I've been cold for a couple miles," Allen said.

When he entered the 1308 East Main St. restaurant, everyone applauded. Without hesitation, Allen began removing wet clothes and changing into another outfit. His brother, Larry Allen, handed him a peanut butter-and-jelly sandwich and Marsan brought him a cup of tea.

Gary Allen, who turns 57 this month, sat down in a small chair by the fireplace, put his head back and closed his eyes for a moment. He looked exhausted.

The brothers, from Cranberry Island, Maine, planned the trip together. Larry is driving alongside Gary the entire time in a black Prius, while also taking care of logistics.

"Someone just showed up and bought him this clothing because he said he's cold," Larry said.

Several volunteers along the route are providing other aid, including food and shelter.

Hundreds are following Gary on Facebook, Twitter and his website, Maine2DCRun, as he makes the two-week journey. He's hoping to inspire people to send financial donations. Thousands of dollars have already been raised.

As Gary munched on the sandwich, he said he stops every couple miles for a snack. He said he has to eat a few thousand calories a day.

"You've got to kind of nibble all day because if my calories get out of whack, it's like someone handing you a cement block," he said.

Gary looked at the sandwich indifferently, saying he did not really want it, but if he did not eat something, his legs get wobbly.

Gary said he was going to run the New York City Marathon in November, but it was cancelled due to Superstorm Sandy. He and a friend ran the marathon route by themselves anyway.

After that, he decided he wanted to do something more and thought of running from Maine to New York City. Then he decided to take it a step further and travel to Washington, D.C. He also wanted to arrive for Monday's presidential inauguration.

Originally, Gary was going to make this a charity event for Wounded Warriors and the American Cancer Society, but then the massacre of young students and educators in Newtown occurred.

"I can't in good conscience run through Connecticut and not think of those people," he said. "I know dollars don't fix broken hearts."

When Gary left Cadillac Mountain in Maine 10 days ago, he said he didn't really have everything planned. He runs 40 to 50 miles a day, so far totaling about 450 miles.

"The best thing is to start running and hope the momentum will inspire people as you go," he said.

Gary is wearing a transponder, so people can track him, and has almost 700 followers. He said the event is a good test of strength and endurance.

"I'm learning a lot about myself on the road," he said. "I'm alone, but I'm not."

At night, Gary said he reads followers' comments and realizes that at times when he was struggling, people were sending out positive thoughts.

For the most part, Gary said he "loves it" and is taking fatigue to a whole new level. While he's run 86 marathons in the past, he said, this will be his biggest challenge.

"This is my Mt. Everest," he said. "No question."

As Gary got up to leave The Boat Yard, he looked at his brother and said, "Let's make some miles."

Stamford Police Officer Kevin Lynch, who was waiting on Brookside Drive for Gary's arrival, said he would ride next to him until Greenwich.

"I'll try to clear out what I can to make sure he's safe," he said.

Gary then ran through Stamford as people beeped and waved along the way. About 1:45 p.m., he stopped across from Jackie Robinson Park for more fuel.

Larry and a friend, Marc Violette, opened the back of the Prius and gave him a beverage, a banana, some chocolate, a Cliff shot and the rest of his sandwich. Gary dipped the banana into salt, to get a dose of sodium.

"Anything I can eat," Gary joked. "If I see a dead squirrel, I'm liable to eat that."

He then headed for Greenwich, saying, "Let's go make miles." He arrived at the town border just before 2 p.m.